ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Civil Aviation
Digi Yatra to be implemented at Kolkata, Pune, Vijayawada and Hyderabad Airports by March 2023
Digi Yatra policy is an initiative launched by Ministry of Civil Aviation for biometric boarding system using Facial Recognition Technology. It aims at providing seamless and hassle-free experience for passengers at airports. Its main objective is to enhance passenger experience by eliminating the need for verification of ticket and ID at multiple touch points and to achieve better throughput through existing infrastructure using a Digital Framework. The project is under implementation stage. The expenditure on implementation of Digi Yatra is done by Airport Operators. Ministry of Civil Aviation does not provide any budgetary support for its implementation. To give wide publicity to Digi Yatra, Airport Operators and Airline Operators are doing in-flight announcements, publicity through boarding passes, providing help desk support and displaying banner and films etc. at the airports. Publicity is also being done through Social Media.Airports Authority of India  has awarded the work for implementation of Biometric Boarding System at Kolkata, Pune, Vijayawada and Varanasi airports.
Digi Yatra is to be implemented across airports in a phased manner. In first phase, Digi Yatra has been launched on 01.12.2022 at Delhi, Bangalore and Varanasi Airports for providing passengers contactless, paperless check-in and boarding process based on facial biometrics. The implementation of Digi Yatra under phase I is also planned at Kolkata, Pune, Vijayawada and Hyderabad Airports by March 2023 and across various airports in the country in phased manner. Digital transformation of aviation sector is an ongoing endeavour. As per requirement, the digitisation of various processes in aviation sector is undertaken.
M/s Dataevolve Solutions has built FRT based Digi Yatra Central Ecosystem. It has been selected through a national start-up challenge run by NitiAayog under the Atal Innovation Mission.
Digi Yatra is a voluntary facility for providing passengers seamless and hassle-free experience at the Airports. In the Digi Yatra process, there is no central storage of passenger's Personally Identifiable Information  data. All the passenger's data is encrypted and stored in the wallet of the passenger's smartphone and shared only for a limited time duration with the airport of travel origin where passenger's Digi Yatra ID needs to be validated. The data is purged from the system within 24 hours of flight. Facilities with implementation of the Digi Yatra provides Touchless Passenger Validation through FRT which results in saving time at various touchpoints like entry to airport, Security Hold Area  and Boarding Area with no CISF intervention.
This information was given by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Civil Aviation Gen.
 V. K. Singh, in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.
Ministry of Heavy Industries
Hindustan News Print Limited
The National Company Law Tribunal , Kochi bench, on 28.11.2019 in an application filed by a creditor of Hindustan Newsprint Limited  directed for initiation of Corporate Insolvency Resolution Process  under Insolvency & Bankruptcy Code , 2016 and appointed an Interim Resolution Professional  for HNL.
Hindustan Paper Corporation Limited , the parent company of HNL,is under liquidation as per the orders of the NCLT, New Delhi Bench and the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal .
On 25.11.2019, the NCLT, New Delhi granted permission to the Liquidator, HPC to sell the 100% shareholding of HPC in HNL to the Government of Kerala.
This information was given by the Minister of Heavy Industries & Public Enterprises, Prakash Javadekar, in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.
President's Secretariat
President of India condoles the passing away of Smt. Kishori Amonkar
The President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee has condoled the passing away of Hindustani classical vocalist Smt. Kishori Amonkar.
In a message to her son, Shri Bibhas Amonkar, the President has said, “I am sad to learn about the passing away of your mother, Smt. Kishori Amonkar.
Smt. Amonkar enthralled music lovers with her soulful singing for decades.
For her tireless contribution to Indian classical music, she was honoured with numerous awards including the Padma Bhushan in 1987 and Padma Vibhushan in 2002. Her sad demise is an irreparable loss to the world of Indian music.
Please accept my heartfelt condolences. I pray to the Almighty to give you and all members of your family the strength to bear this irreparable loss”.
Ministry of Defence
Indian Navy - first Responder to Cyclone 'IDAI' in Mozambique 19 Mar 19
The ships of First Training Squadron of Indian Navy  operating in the Southern Indian Ocean were diverted to Port Beira, Mozambique based on request received from the Government of Mozambique to provide Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief  to the local population post the devastation caused by cyclone 'IDAI' which struck the coast of Mozambique on 15 Mar 19. INS Sujata along with ICGS Sarathi arrived at Port Beira morning of 18 Mar 19 whilst INS Shardul arrived on 19 Mar 19 and are providing necessary support to the local administration. Upon arrival at the port, the IN ships shifted from anchorage and berthed alongside taking advantage of the tide and commenced liaison work with local authorities immediately.
Cyclone 'IDAI' made landfall at Beira, Mozambique in early hours of 15 Mar 19 causing widespread damage and loss of human life in the Central and Northern provinces of the country. Preliminary inputs indicate that city of Beira faced the maximum devastation with large scale damage to infrastructure. There are also reports of about 5000 personnel marooned at Buzi near Port Beira requiring immediate evacuation. The safe evacuation of the affected personnel by IN ships is being coordinated in consultation with local authorities. The disembarkation of HADR stores including food, medicines and clothing to the Mozambique Defence authorities has been completed. Arrangements are in progress to disembark potable water.
The Hon'ble Defence Minister of Mozambique visited IN ships to oversee the relief efforts. The Senior Officer of First Training Squadron, Capt Varun Singh, NM embarked onboard IN Ship Sujata has indicated to the Mozambique Navy that no effort would be spared by the IN ships in providing HADR/ SAR effort. The helicopter from IN Ship Shardul is operating from the local airport for reccee and SAR. The boats, Landing Craft Assault and Gemini rubberised craft with divers would be used to render assistance for evacuation of marooned personnel.
The IN ships are likely to setup medical camps and provide food, water, blankets and other necessary relief items, as required by the local authorities. The situation is being monitored closely and the Indian Navy is prepared to render all necessary assistance to the local population in Mozambique.
DKS/AC
(Visitor Counter : 2653
PIB Headquarters
Shri. R. Madhavan takes over New Regional Executive Director of AAI
Shri. R. Madhavan took over as the New Regional Executive Director of AAI , at the Regional Headquarters, AAI, Chennai, on 03.06.2019, succeeding Shri.S.Sreekumar, who assumed the charge of Airport Director, AAI, Chennai Airport.
CMA R.Madhavan is a Commerce Graduate from the University of Madras. He is a Member of the Institute of Cost Accounts of India as well. He has also done his Specialized Diploma on Management from the IGNOU.
He started his career in Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited, Tiruchirappalli in July’1986 and later joined the erstwhile National Airports Authority in the year 1994, as Accounts Officer at the Southern Regional Headquarters in Chennai. Thereafter, he has served in various capacities at Mumbai, Chennai, Delhi and Kolkatta Airports apart from the Corporate Headquarters at New Delhi.
With his deep-rooted belief in austerity being a prudent Finance Official, many cost cuttings have resulted in augmentation of revenue to the Organization.
He has also served as the Executive Director of the Key Infrastructure Development Unit of the Airports Authority of India, at the Corporate Headquarters. He wasincharge of process of selection of a private partner for six Airports across the country, for their operation, management and development for a 50-year concession period. It has been estimated that as per the winning bid, the A.A.I would be able to generate a revenue of several crores in the first year itself. This is expected to increase with the growth in Traffic and other factors, in the years to come.
He has now taken over as the Regional Executive Director of the Southern Region of the A.A.I and is tasked with the responsibility of management, upgradation and development, of all the Airports in the five states of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Kerala and Karnataka, apart from the UT of Pondicherry and Lakshadweep. He is also entrusted with the provision of passenger facilities at these Airports and the management of other allied Infrastructure and Services.
Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment
The Government has revised the Post Matric Scholarship Scheme for SC students: Shri Rattan Lal Kataria
The Government has revised the funding pattern of the Post Matric Scholarship scheme for SC students and has adopted a ratio of 60:40 sharing between the Centre and States/UTs  of the average demand for the scheme for three years period 2017-18 to 2019-20, with a 5 %annual increase each year.
The total annual assistance to be provided to students under the scheme would be the entire non-refundable tuition fees of the course, and academic allowance as per the rates fixed for the course group.
The revised scheme is aimed at creating an impact on the poorest SC households to be identified by the States/UTs.
Starting from 2021-22, the Central share in the scheme would be released on DBT mode directly into the bank accounts of the students, which will minimise frauds. The scheme is based on the principles of timely delivery, comprehensive accountability, continuous monitoring and total transparency and shall be run through an online platform with robust cyber security measures eliminating any chance of misappropriation of the funds. Further, awareness drives shall also be undertaken by the State Governments/UT Administrations about the scheme through the Gram Panchayats’ notice boards, school committees, discussions in the parent- teacher association meetings and other public awareness measures which will also prevent misuse.
This information was given by Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Shri Rattan Lal Katariain a written reply in Lok Sabha today.
Ministry of Defence
Import and Export in Defence Sector
Details of net Budget provided to Ministry of Defence  in Budget Estimates , Revised Estimates  from 2017-18 to 2022-23 are tabulated below:

|
|
Years
|
|
BE Allocations
|
|
RE Allocations
|
|
2017-18
|
|
3,59,854.12
|
|
3,74,003.85
|
|
2018-19
|
|
4,04,364.71
|
|
4,05,193.85
|
|
2019-20
|
|
4,31,010.79
|
|
4,48,820.10
|
|
2020-21
|
|
4,71,378.00
|
|
4,84,736.06
|
|
2021-22
|
|
4,78,195.62
|
|
5,02,883.54
|
|
2022-23
|
|
5,25,166.15
|
|
----
The quantum of import and export carried out in defence sector from 2017 to 2022, year-wise is tabulated below:

|
|
IMPORT
|
|
Year
|
|
Foreign Procurement|
|
2017-18
|
|
37,030.89
|
|
2018-19
|
|
45,705.57
|
|
2019-20
|
|
47,961.47
|
|
2020-21
|
|
53,118.58
|
|
2021-22
|
|
50,061.68Foreign procurement includes procurements made towards purchase of Defence stores/equipments under both, Revenue and Capital segments.

|
|
EXPORT
|
|
Year
|
|
Export Value of Authorisations issued
|
|
2017-18
|
|
4,682
|
|
2018-19
|
|
10,746
|
|
2019-20
|
|
9,116
|
|
2020-21
|
|
8,435
|
|
2021-22
|
|
12,815
This information was given by Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Ajay Bhatt in a written reply to Shri Ghanshyam Tiwari in Rajya Sabha today.
Ministry of Agriculture &
Farmers Welfare
Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana 
Post Harvest Management Support to encourage Organic Farmers
Government of India has been promoting Organic farming in the country through dedicated scheme namely Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana  since 2015-16. The scheme stress on end to end support to organic farmers i.e from production to certification and marketing. Post harvest management support including processing, packing, marketing is made integral part of these schemes to encourage organic farmers.
Under PKVY, farmers are provided financial assistance of Rs 50,000 per hectare/ 3 years, out of which Rs. 31,000  is provided directly through DBT for inputs .
An amount of total Rs 29.59 crore has been released to Assam for 220 clusters benefitting 11000 farmers for 4425 ha area against the target 4451 since 2015-16 to till date.
Government has initiated Large Area Certification  programme since 2020-21 to certify large traditional/default organic areas such as hills, islands, tribal or desert belt with no past history of GMO and agro chemical uses. Entire certification process gets completed within 3-6 months time. This reduces the conversion period from 2-3 years to few months and allows farmers for marketing of their produce at premium prices. Car Nicobar and Nancowry group of Island under the Union Territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands with 14,491 ha cultivable area is the first Large Contiguous Area declared as certified organic. Government of India have already sanctioned and released Rs 11.48 lakh to Union Territory of Ladakh for LAC.
This information was given in a written reply by the Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Shri Narendra Singh Tomar in Lok Sabha.
Ministry of Coal
More than 100 Experts attend Coal Gasification Webinar Organised by Coal Ministry
Targets 100 Million Ton Domestic Coal Gasification By 2030
Experts Urge to Scale Up Indigenous Gasification Technology
Coal Gasification - Clean Alternative of Coal Sector
“Four gasification projects will help in framing up technical and financial viability of coal gasification.” said by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi while inaugurating the webinar on Energy for Sustainable Growth here today. Coal Gasification was one of the six topics which was deliberated in six concurrent sessions. This is the ninth webinar in the series of post-budget webinars addressed by the Prime Minister.
Dr. Anil Kumar Jain, Secretary , Coal addressed the webinar organised on coal gasification by Ministry of Coal. He stressed on suitable business model, so that not only public sector but also private sector takes role in setting-up of coal gasification plant. In the Webinar, six eminent speakers participated including Dr. V.K Saraswat, member NITI Aayog. Dr Saraswat stressed on setting up demonstration plants to scale up indigenous technology and introduction of PLI scheme for setting up Coal Gasification Plants. He suggested rationalisation of pricing of coal for gasification on the parameters such as taxations, State Cess, transportation and handling charges and acceleration on the projects planned by the Coal India Limited and subsidiaries preferably through EPC approach for production of chemicals & fuels.
During the session, highlights of both the existing plant of JSPL and plant under construction of TFL, were shared by Shri VR Sharma, Managing Director, Jindal Steel and Power Limited and Shri SN Yadav, Managing Director, Talcher Fertilizer Limited. Further, Shri Yadav pointed out key enablers of coal gasification such as development of indigenous technology, formulation of Policy for consistent quality & uninterrupted supply of coal and challenges face by TFL.
Session was attended by more than 100 experts and during question answer session no. of interactions were made. Further R & D of Thermax plant & BHEL plant were shared. CIL Chairman also expressed his readiness to join hands with BHEL in the development of indigenous coal gasification plant to produce Ammonium Nitrate.
In the second session Shri VK Tiwari, Additional Secretary, Coal highlighted six key takeaways which were Availability of Coal for Gasification Projects, Development of Indigenous Gasification technology on commercial scale, Development of indigenous technology for production of methanol from syngas, Suitable policy provision for Marketing of indigenous product derived from Coal Gasification, Financial assistance to Gasification projects at Initial stage and taking up of all business models for setting up of projects.
Additional Secretary  concluded by stating that by all these steps, coal gasification target of 100 MT of domestic coal by year 2030 will be achieved creating to a new path of sustainable coal utilization.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
UPDATES ON COVID-19
All CGHS empanelled hospitals, notified as COVID-Hospitals by State Governments, to provide treatment facilities to CGHS beneficiaries
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has issued an order to all Health Care Organizations  empanelled under CGHS, after reviewing the representations from CGHS beneficiaries regarding the difficulties in availing of treatment facilities at private hospitals / Diagnostic Centres empanelled under CGHS.
As per the Ministry order, all CGHS empanelled hospitals, which are notified as COVID-Hospitals by State Governments shall provide treatment facilities to CGHS beneficiaries as per the CGHS norms, for all COVID related treatments. Similarly, it is directed that all the CGHS empanelled hospitals, which are not notified as COVID Hospitals shall not deny treatment facilities / admission to CGHS beneficiaries and shall charge as per CGHS norms, for all other treatments. Action shall be taken in case of violation of the guidelines.
For all authentic & updated information on COVID-19 related technical issues, guidelines & advisories please regularly visit: https://www.mohfw.gov.in/ and @MoHFW_INDIA .
Technical queries related to COVID-19 may be sent to technicalquery.covid19[at]gov[dot]in and other queries on ncov2019[at]gov[dot]in and @CovidIndiaSeva .
In case of any queries on COVID-19, please call at the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare helpline no.: +91-11-23978046 or 1075 . List of helpline numbers of States/UTs on COVID-19 is also available at
https://www.mohfw.gov.in/pdf/coronvavirushelplinenumber.pdf .
Ministry of Steel
Steel Plants in the Country
Steel being a deregulated sector, decisions relating to setting up of steel units are taken by individual steel producers in private or public sector, based on commercial consideration and market dynamics.
The total number of steel plants producing crude steel in the country during 2019-20 is 914. In the public sector, work is currently going on in NMDC Steel Plant in Nagarnar, Chhattisgarh, which is a Greenfield steel plant.
The details of import of finished steel and production of finished steel in the country in last three years and current year i.e. April-December, 2020 are as under :
|
|
Import of Finished Steel
|
|
Production of Finished Steel 
|
|
Year
|
|
Qty. 
|
|
|
|
2017-18
|
|
7.48
|
|
95.01
|
|
2018-19
|
|
7.84
|
|
101.29
|
|
2019-20
|
|
6.77
|
|
102.62
|
|
April-December, 2020|
|
3.21
|
|
66.56
|
|
Source: JPC; mt=million tonnes;provisional
|
|
Import of steel has reduced in the last three years whereas domestic steel production has been increasing except during the current year following the Covid-19 pandemic. Import of certain steel grades which are not manufactured or manufactured in adequate quantity in the country is made for supporting the manufacturing sector as well as the country’s export of machinery, automobiles etc.
This information was given by the Union Minister for Steel Shri Dharmendra Pradhan in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.
Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways
Memorandum of Understanding  signed between the Ministry of Shipping of Government of Indian and Ministry of National Defence, Republic of Portugal.
A world class National Maritime Heritage Complex will be developed at Lothal, Gujarat.
The President of Portugal H.E. Mr Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, is currently on a four-day State visit to India. In the presence of Hon’ble Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi, President of Portugal H.E.Mr Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, Minister of National Defense of Portugal and Minister of State for Shippingand Chemical and Fertilizer, Shri Mansukh Mandaviya, signed an MoU today to develop a world class National Maritime Heritage Complex at Lothal, Gujaratwith the cooperation from the Republic of Portugal.
The MoU on National Maritime Heritage Complex, Lothal will pay the way for cooperation between the two countries for showcasing common Maritime Heritage. NMHC will consolidate all diverse and rich artefacts from ancient to modern times. It will provide access to public and make them aware about India’s rich Maritime Heritage.
Special Service and Features
Vivekananda Manch at IIMC's Kottayam campus Inaugurated
Secretary Ministry of Information & Broadcasting Shri. Apoorva Chandra today inaugurated the Vivekananda Manch at the South Campus of Indian Institute of Mass Communication, at Pambadi in Kottayam . Vivekananda Manch was founded on the concept of a place for intellectual interaction.
IIMC Regional Director Prof Dr. Anilkumar Vadavathur presided over the function . Shri. Apoorva Chandra, who is also the chairman if IIMC, interacted with media students and teachers and also planted a coconut sapling as part of the activities of the Campus Greenery Club.
ND
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
MISHTI scheme promotes development of 540 Sq. Kms Mangroves across 11 States and 2 Union Territories
Resources for implementation of the Amrit Dharohar and MISHTI are through convergence of other ongoing schemes/programmes of Central and State Governments.
The features of Amrit Dharohar scheme encompass promoting the unique conservation values of wetlands including their optimal use for enhancing biodiversity, carbon stock, ecotourism opportunities and income generation for local communities. The objectives inter-alia are integrated management of such wetlands for green growth, developing nature and culture-based tourism at the sites, community stewardship for wetland based livelihood, heritage, and culture, building convergence with different Ministries and departments, State Governments, Research and academic institutions and Industrial Sector, over the next three years across the country.
Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats & Tangible Incomes ) envisage to comprehensively explore the possible area for development of Mangroves covering approximately 540 Sq. Kms. spreading across 11 States and 2 Union Territories during five years commencing FY 2023-24 onwards. The sharing of best practices on plantation techniques, conservation measures, management practices and resources mobilization through Public Private Partnership are objectives of the MISHTI scheme.
This information was given by Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Shri Ashwini Kumar Choubey in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha.
Ministry of Home Affairs
DATA FOR CENSUS 2021
The Government decided to conduct Census 2021 under the Census Act, 1948 in two phases, viz.,  House listing & Housing Census during April-September, 2020 and  Population Enumeration during 9th to 28th February, 2021. However, Census related field activities have been postponed till further orders due to Covid-19 pandemic.
In Census, data is collected on demographic and various socio-economic parameters like education, SC/ST, religion, language, marriage, fertility, disability, occupation and migration of the individuals. Data on migration characteristics along with the reasons of migration such as work/employment and business is collected.
This was stated by the Minister of State for Home Affairs, Shri Nityanand Rai in a written reply to question in the Lok Sabha today.